Jazz Notes: April heats up with trumpeter Randy Brecker

Forget Paris. When it comes to the music, the place to be in April is Colorado, not the City of Lights. The impressive array of sounds this week begins tonight when trumpeter Randy Brecker begins a two-night stand at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln. Like his younger brother, the late saxophonist Michael Brecker, the Philadelphia-born trumpeter has carved out an impressive place in jazz by being able to do it all, from fusion and pop sounds to serious, straight-ahead music. Dreams and the Brecker Brothers were nice, but what’s etched in my mind is listening to the Breckers in Philly when the brothers made up the front line in the Horace Silver Quintet.

In January, Brecker was part of the all-star, New York band that recorded composer/conductor Chie Imaizumi’s second CD for Capri Records. And since Imaizumi lives here in Denver, it seems entirely appropriate that Brecker pays a visit. At Dazzle, the trumpeter joins forces with Convergence – a strong band in its own right with trumpeter Greg Gisbert, saxophonist John Gunther, trombonist Mark Patterson, pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist Mark Simon and drummer Paul Romaine. It should be two very impressive nights of music. The sets tonight and Friday are at 7 and 9 p.m. ($25/$15 for students at tonight’s 9 p.m. show, 303-839-5100).

Also this evening, pianist Dave Grusin and guitarist Lee Ritenour are on tap at Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado’s campus in Boulder. Grusin, a native of Colorado, and Ritenour, a founding member of the band Fourplay, are performing pieces from their CD Amparo, a Grammy-nominee in 2008. Amparo blends jazz, classical, folk and Latin elements into an engaging package. The second part of the program offers music from Grusin’s well-tuned film scores that have earned him a number of Academy Award nominations along with an Oscar for The Milagro Bean Field War.

The duo, supported by the CU-Boulder’s University Orchestra, hit Macky at 7:30 p.m. ($12-$52, 303-492-8008). At 6:45 p.m., the fine trumpeter Brad Goode offers a pre-concert conversation about the music in Macky 102. Then, on Friday, pianist Hal Galper brings his trio (with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop) to the CU campus in Boulder for an 8 p.m., free concert in Old Main. On Saturday, Galper’s trio moves to Dazzle for sets at 7 and 9 p.m. ($15/$10 for students at the 9 p.m. show).

Over the years, the Massachusetts-born player spent considerable time with the bands led by trumpeter Chet Baker and saxophonists “Cannonball” Adderley and Phil Woods. In the 1970s, Galper also had his own quintet that included the Brecker brothers and has led his own trio since 1990. Fifteen-years ago, I had the opportunity to write the liner notes for an album by Galper’s trio plus saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi on the Enja label that had Johnson on bass. The pianist had plenty to say then and that hasn’t changed one bit.

Returning to Friday, the University of Colorado Denver has its own treat when guitarist Bobby Broom brings his trio to UCD’s “Third Annual Guitar Night” in the King Center on the Auraria campus that also features members of the university’s music faculty. The music is at 7:30 p.m. ($12/$5 UCD students, 303-556-2296).

When Broom was all of 16, Sonny Rollins asked him to join his band. Broom declined and finished high school. Later on, the guitarist turned down offers to become one of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and a member of the Miles Davis band. He eventually joined Rollins and spent time with musicians ranging from Dr. John to fellow guitarist Kenny Burrell. He also recorded for the GRP label starting in the 1980s – a label co-founded by Dave Grusin.

Moving past the weekend, Dazzle also offers trumpeter Cuong Vu on Tuesday and pianist Lenore Raphael on Wednesday. Vu, who was born in Saigon in 1969, is most widely known for his work with guitarist Pat Metheny, but he has appeared in Denver in a variety of contexts, including as a guest with the 9^th + Lincoln Orchestra. He has developed his own sound; and on Tuesday at 7 p.m. he is with his Seattle-based Speak quintet $12/$7 for students). That group has Andrew Swanson on saxophone, Aaron Otheim on keyboards, Luke Bergman on bass and Chris Icasiano on drums. Then, the week in music ends on Wednesday with a visit from New York pianist Raphael who is a talented and swinging player. She plays at 7 p.m. with Ken Walker on bass and Todd Reid on drums ($10). Finally, bassist Walker joins guitarist Dave Honig for a tribute to Wes Montgomery and Stevie Wonder at the Pearl Martini Lounge, 1475 S. Pearl in Boulder, at 8 p.m. on Friday (303-777-1533). And remember, there are three more weeks to go before April ends.

Norman Provizer writes a Jazz Notes column on Thursdays at kuvo.org. Provizer, who’s also a political science professor at Metropolitan State College of Denver, was a regular contributor to the Rocky Mountain News.